Tourism Development & Culture (Joint Master) (Dumfries campus) MSc
This two-year Joint Master Degree explores contemporary theoretical and practical issues in tourism development, with a cultural focus, providing critical analytical skills. Mobility periods will give you the opportunity to study at the University of Glasgow and its world-class consortium partners.
- Teaching start: September
- Important dates for students starting in academic year 2023-24
- MSc: 24 months full-time
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Why this programme
- The programme provides an excellent opportunity for those new to tourism to engage and attain a broad grasp of the subject as well as a deep and analytical insight into aspects of tourism development, culture and related industries.
- This is an exciting and innovative programme offered by the University of Glasgow (Dumfries Campus), the University of Malta, Lund University (Sweden) and the University Institute of Lisbon (Portugal). You will graduate with a joint degree awarded by the relevant partners.
- By studying with a combination of these partners, you will be taught by world-class experts in the areas of social science analysis of tourism, heritage, business innovation and sustainability.
- You will also have the opportunity to attend a 10 day summer school at Wageningen University (Netherlands) with a focus on the environment and tourism.
- Unique in terms of the subject matter covered, the diverse range and complementarity of the five partner universities involved, and the focus on culture in its broadest sense will greatly enhance your student experience.
- Courses are both theoretical and practical. Some involve field trips, along with work placement opportunities. This will equip you for the working world in the tourism, heritage, and wider culture-based industries.
Programme structure
The programme is structured around a series of mobility periods across two years where you study at a combination of these partner universities, taking a mix of core and optional courses. Teaching is delivered via mix of lectures and seminars, with guest lectures and opportunities for work placements. The final mobility period will be spent at one of the semester 3 partners (University Institute of Lisbon or Lund University) under the supervision of a team from at least two universities. The programme also includes an optional two-week summer school at the University of Malta at the end of year 1.
Semester 1 (Sep - Dec) University of Glasgow (Dumfries Campus): Social science analysis of tourism
Semester 2 (Feb – June) University of Malta: Cultural tourism and heritage (Optional placement available)
Summer (July) Summer school at the University of Malta (optional)
Semester 3 (Sep - Jan) study track choice
- Lund University: Innovation and sustainability in the tourism industry
OR
- University Institute of Lisbon: Tourism management including urban, events, retail and hospitality (Optional non-credit placement available)
Semester 4 (Feb - Aug) (Continuation of studies at Semester 3 institution (i.e. Lund or Lisbon)): Independent study, dissertation
Core courses
University of Glasgow
- Heritage interpretation and development
- Tourism and regional development.
University of Malta
- Cities of culture
- Cultural tourism and the European dimension
- Marketing and management of culture
- Research methods in cultural tourism
- Traditions and the tourism product.
Lund University
- Introduction to service management
- Sustainability in service organisations
- Value creation and innovation in tourism.
University Institute of Lisbon
- Large event and event management
- Tourism and urban worlds.
Optional courses may include
University of Glasgow
- Ecology, Environment & Conservation
- Environmental communication
- Reading the environment.
University of Malta
- Cultural legislation and policy
- Religious heritage and niche tourism
- Placement in the cultural sector.
University Institute of Lisbon
- E-Tourism
- Hospitality business design and operations
- Shopping tourism and luxury retail management
- Wine tourism and wine business.
Summer school
- Circular Tourism. (The concept of circular tourism is derived from the Circular Economy (CE), which can be defined as a system that is designed to be both restorative and regenerative).
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
As a graduate you will be well equipped to find work in the tourism, cultural and heritage industries, both in the public and private sector.
Potential employers include national and local government, agencies such as tourism departments, museums and heritage attractions, the travel and hotel industries, business consultancies and media organisations. It may be possible to transfer your acquired skills into other related professions such as planning or organisational sustainability.
There will also be opportunities for teaching at schools, colleges and universities for qualified teachers, as well as research.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2024-25
MSc
Fees for the 2 year programme:
International:
- £16,860 per annum
Home:
- £8,100 per annum
EU:
- £10,290 per annum
The EU/EEA fee value reflects the difference in fee status at the EU partners in the programme consortium.
The fees listed here cover tuition only. The University of Glasgow can only collect fees in Pound Sterling at the published GBP values and subject to exchange rates at the time of payment. As the programme contains various mobility periods, students (funded and self-funded) will need to cover their own airfares between each chosen partner.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship
The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship is accelerating exceptional Disabled Students through masters’ programmes into leadership positions to create change.
Do you have ambitions to change the world? Are you pioneering in your field? Are you creating change for Disabled People? Let us open some doors.
The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship award will provide up to 30,000 for exceptional Disabled Students applying to study a master’s degree. We are investing in the influencers of the future.
Please see Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship for details.
Banco de Mexico
The Mexican National Bank (Banco de Mexico) provides special loans for students who wish to undertake a programme of postgraduate study. The University of Glasgow in partnership with Bank of Mexico FIDERH is offering a fee discount to holders of a Bank of Mexico FIDERH loan. See the FIDERH website for further information.
Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia
The University of Glasgow offer discounts to all successful Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia (Colfuturo) scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)
The University of Glasgow offers a 25% discount to all successful CONICyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement
CONACYT offers a non-refundable scholarship, a monthly stipend and medical insurance of an approximate total of $20,000 USD (in the case of the UK, no medical insurance grant is given since students are already covered by the National Health System) The University of Glasgow offer a 30% discount to all successful CONACyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
Alumni Discount
In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2023/24. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
Undergraduates with a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent (e.g. a Grade Point Average of 75%) in the following subject areas; social sciences or humanities, or management & business.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
PTE (Academic or Academic Online)
- 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with distinction in all sub-tests
Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)
- 65%
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.
How to apply
For information on applications and to apply, please see the consortium website:
Apply to programme (consortium website)
